Nadro wins West derby

FAREBROTHER TROPHY BACK IN NADROGA

FULLBACK Jack Volavola nailed a late long range penalty to earn BLK Nadroga the Inkk Farebrother Trophy after defeating holders Nadi 20-19 at Prince Charles Park yesterday.

With two minutes left on the clock, Nadi misfired with a stray line-out throw handing the Stallions a scrum.

Nadi, which led 19-17 at that time, gave away a needless penalty. Volavola stepped up to the mark to break the hearts of Nadi fans with his 45 metre penalty.

The line-out proved to be Nadi’s downfall as they failed to get their throws straight.

Nadroga also dominated in the scrums, turning the Nadi pack around to gain valuable possession. Nadi team captain Sivaniolo Lumelume congratulated Nadroga for a gutsy effort.

He said it was disappointing to lose the prized trophy.

“It was a tough game,” Lumelume said.

“What happens on the field remains on the field. Outside the ground, our vanua relationship remains the same.”

Nadi team assistant coach Cohan Politini said the result was disappointing. He said their game plan did not function.

“Line-out and the scrums are an integral part of rugby and we failed to do well in both departments,” Politini said.

Nadroga captain Eremasi Radrodro said they talked about the importance of the Farebrother Trophy before the match.

He said the message was that they had to do it on the day or face a tougher road next time.

The Stallions made a bright start with fullback Jack Volavola scoring in the second minute.

Nadi equalised through lock Ilisoni Galala in the 10th minute.In the 22nd minute Nadroga turned Nadi’s scrum around and the ball popped up for Joji Kunavula, who ran around the defence to score the second try for the visitors. Volavola converted.

Nadi went into attack in the last 10 minutes of the first spell. The Nadi forwards finally powered their way over the line after several attempts with Navitalai Druaiono claiming the try. Semesa Muadonu levelled with his conversion.

Nadroga took advantage of the ball handling mistake, breaking away from inside their territory on the stroke of half time.

They were denied a try by the video referee for a foot in touch.

However, from the ensuing lineout, Nadi lost the ball forward handing Nadroga a handy scrum.

Continued